In the world of SEO, directory submissions remain a valuable tool for improving your website's visibility and authority.
Let's explore what directory submissions are, how they benefit your SEO efforts, and provide you with a list of free directories to get you started.
What is a directory submission
A directory submission is the process of adding your website's information to an online directory. These directories are categorized listings of websites, similar to the traditional phone book but for the internet.
When you submit your site to a directory, you typically provide details such as your website's URL, title, description, and relevant category.
How directory submissions help SEO
Directory submissions can benefit your SEO strategy in several ways:
Backlinks. Each directory listing typically includes a link back to your website, which can help improve your backlink profile.
Increased visibility. Directories can serve as an additional channel for users to discover your website.
Brand awareness. Consistent listings across various directories can increase your brand's online presence and credibility.
Referral traffic. While often minimal, you may receive some direct traffic from users browsing these directories.
Best practices for directory submissions
To maximize the benefits of directory submissions:
Choose quality directories. Focus on reputable directories relevant to your industry with high domain authority.
Consistency is key. Ensure your business information is consistent across all directory listings.
Optimize your listings. Use relevant keywords in your site's description, but avoid keyword stuffing.
Regular updates. Periodically review and update your listings to ensure they are accurate.
Diversify. Don't limit yourself to general directories; list on niche directories related to your industry.
Our free directory submission list
To help you kickstart your SEO efforts, we've curated a free list of 150+ directories. These are a mix of both dofollow and nofollow directories.
Get your first high-quality backlinks and improve your domain authority by submitting to directories relevant to your website.
Conclusion
That said, directory submissions are not a replacement for core SEO fundamentals. You still need high-quality, relevant content; on-page optimization (titles, meta descriptions, headings); technical SEO (crawlability, site speed/Core Web Vitals); structured data; internal linking; and a great user experience.
Think of directory submissions as a solid foundation and a way to kickstart your backlink profile. Remember to focus on quality over quantity, and always adhere to best practices.
When two websites are otherwise equal, the one with the most quality backlinks will usually win.